Engineering the future

Select students from three Monroe City middle schools toured the Dow/ANGUS Chemical company on Tuesday as part of the ULM Monroe City Scholars program called STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

By Sarah Carmichael

Bastrop Daily Enterprise - Bastrop, LA

By Sarah Carmichael

Posted Jul. 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 26, 2012 at 7:03 PM

By Sarah Carmichael

Posted Jul. 26, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 26, 2012 at 7:03 PM

STERLINGTON, La.

Select students from three Monroe City middle schools toured the Dow/ANGUS Chemical company on Tuesday as part of the ULM Monroe City Scholars program called STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

This is the second year of the community-based program and this year the “arts” was added to form the acronym STEAM, broadening the scholars program.

Karen Kay, ANGUS business manufacturing director, said the students have the opportunity to relate science to the real-world, by hearing first-hand from employees during a question-answer session, participating in different experiments and having a window-tour of the plant.

“We are excited when young people come here and are interested in science and technology,” she said. “Our global economy will demand that we produce scientists and engineers to remain competitive and that starts with sparking an interest in young people.”

The focus of this year's camp is process technology and the techniques used to create and deliver products.

And as part of the program, Scott Russell, ANGUS supply chain manager, taught the guests that today's supply chain is global.

“What goes on around the world affects us,” he said. “ANGUS ships millions of pounds of products all over the world.”

He also noted that in the next five to 10 years global exports are likely to double, presenting the students an added incentive to see ANGUS as a future career choice.

The students will also tour EnerVest oil and gas, Graphic Packaging and CenturyLink this week.

Laura Beal, ULM department of chemistry professor, said one student commented to her “everybody here really loves their jobs!” as they toured the chemical company on Tuesday.

“The enthusiasm of each speaker really reached the students and impressed them with the idea that work can be fun and rewarding,” she said.

For more information call Cynthia Rodriguez at 342.1296 or email at crodriguez@ulm.edu.